131 9809 Drivetrain Swap Guide - nv4500 Transmission - Photo 07

Transmission: The trans is the popular NV4500 manual five-speed Overdrive available through JB Conversions. Knowing the trans would be installed with a Dana 300 transfer case, John White at JB supplied a GM-style trans case with a Dodge tailshaft housing and output shaft that mates to the Dana 300 (or 300-type crawler box) without an adapter. The pre-'96 GM case also bolts to the bellhousing without an adapter, unlike the Dodge and post-'96 GM cases. Eliminating adapters makes the overall drivetrain shorter, and that's always a good thing. Additionally, the trans features the hard-to-find 6.34:1 First gear ratio; the more common 5.61:1 ratio trannies are usually about $500 cheaper.